Post-Pregnancy Weight Loss Tips

There are many women who fear getting pregnant because it might ‘ruin’ their figures. Well, the truth is you can enjoy the joys the motherhood without permanently gaining weight. The only way getting pregnant will ‘ruin’ your figure is if you really let your exercise schedule go, and if you change your eating habits. Other than that, you can rely on getting back to your pre-pregnancy figure and weight with the following tips.

Start Dieting After You And Your Baby Have Adjusted

Giving birth can throw your system into disarray, and you have to also nourish your baby. It is not a good idea to start trying to lose weight shortly after you give birth. At the very least, you should wait until you and your baby have settled into a routine. Make sure you check with your primary care provider regarding your diet plans. Ask your baby’s pediatrician regarding possible supplements or types of food you need to eat if you are breastfeeding.

Include Extra Energy Foods Into Your Diet

Regardless of whether you are breastfeeding your baby or not, you will need lots of energy to keep up with your new routine. Taking care of a newborn is definitely not easy! Make sure your diet and food choices reflect this. Make sure to include just enough extra calories to give you pep during the day. If you are breastfeeding, make sure to add a few more slow-carbs into your daily eating schedule to give you the extra zip you need to help you power through your day.

The good news is that even if you were to give yourself some slack in the energy foods department, the total number of calories you’ll be eating will still be less than the period immediately before and after you gave birth. You will be cutting down on calories, and this is always a good thing when it comes to losing weight. Still, you might need to taper it as you and your child adjusts. Start slow and low.

Slowly Ramp Up Your Exercise Levels

When trying to lose those extra pounds you gained during pregnancy, you have to take care of the other end of the weight loss equation – exercise. That’s right – simply trying to diet your way to a slimmer figure might not be the way to go because your activity levels might drop so much that you don’t lose much weight. How can this happen? Well, you only lose weight if your body experiences a net negative calorie intake. If your metabolism drops to keep up with your reduced-calorie intake, you won’t be burning many calories, and you’ll keep your weight.

It is a good idea to avoid hitting the gym hardcore soon after pregnancy. Instead, slowly ramp up. Why go slow? You need to make sure you and your baby have settled into a routine. The first few months will be rough due to your baby’s sleeping patterns. Once this has settled, you can start exercising, and you can scale up the frequency and intensity of your workouts as your child grows over the months. Eventually, you should be back to your pre-pregnancy workout levels.

Keep the tips above to get your pre-pregnancy figure back. It is very doable. You just need a sensible plan that ramps up slowly with time. This is best for both you and your baby.

Get Help If You Need It

If you find you need more personalized guidance for post-pregnancy weight loss, consider medical weight loss. dietMD Hawaii has successfully helped many new mothers in the Hawaii area lose the extra pounds and feel great about their post-pregnancy bodies. You can too!

About DrBruce

Dr Bruce Katsura believes that weight loss can be fast, safe and sustainable, if it is supported and supervised by a physician, and involves certain lifestyle changes. Those include learning about healthy eating and making small changes in daily habits. Our clients lose up to 30 pounds in 30 days, and most keep the weight off. Sign up for your free initial consultation today.

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